Crimson Tide

Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, Steve Zahn, James Gandolfini, Matt Craven
Directed by: Tony Scott
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Drama
1995

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: The USS Alabama receives startling orders- to fire nuclear weapons on Russia! When they cannot confirm the order, tensions mount between the sub's commanding officer (Gene Hackman) and its executive officer (Denzel Washington) and the fate of the world may rest in the balance.

Review:

Tim: Denzel Washington v. Gene Hackman- on a submarine. I don't need to know anything else about this movie, I'm there. Luckily for me, this just happens to be a really excellent movie as well. This movie is so good because it pits two wonderful actors- each playing respectable characters- against each other. On this submarine, there is no easily identifiable right or wrong. Neither man is a villain and both are only acting in what they see is the best interest of the United States. This gray area provides the movie's excitement and intrigue.

To be honest, this is really about Washington and Hackman going at each other. There's a great deal of shouting, issuing orders, and dramatic moments, and you couldn't find two men better for the task. Watching these two greats together is something to behold, and is why this movie is so enjoyable. You also have Viggo Mortensen and James Gandolphi in smaller roles.

I'm a fan of submarine movies, and this ranks up there as one of the best of them. The situation is so chaotic and so nerve-racking, that it is impossible to know for sure how you would act if you were in that situation. The claustrophobic setting of the nuclear sub only adds to the tension, which grows in steady spurts until the so-intense-you-will-be-sweating finale.

Crimson Tide stands up a superbly thrilling and intense sub movie. Hackman and Washington both give stellar performances, and you will thoroughly enjoy the ride.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Das Boot, The Hunt for Red October, U-571